YA Buddy Readers' Corner ♥ discussion

Zoe Washington isn’t sure what to write. What does a girl say to the father she’s never met, hadn’t heard from until his letter arrived on her twelfth birthday, and who’s been in prison for a terrible crime?

A crime he says he never committed.

Could Marcus really be innocent? Zoe is determined to uncover the truth. Even if it means hiding his letters and her investigation from the rest of her family. Everyone else thinks Zoe’s worrying about doing a good job at her bakery internship and proving to her parents that she’s worthy of auditioning for Food Network’s Kids Bake Challenge.

But with bakery confections on one part of her mind, and Marcus’s conviction weighing heavily on the other, this is one recipe Zoe doesn’t know how to balance. The only thing she knows to be true: Everyone lies.

I'm listening to this now

ch 9 (view spoiler)[ I can understand why Zoe's mom wouldn't want her writing letters with her dad since he's convicted of murder. I can also get Zoe wanting to know about her dad. (hide spoiler)]

ch 20 (view spoiler)[ Zoe's mom will not be happy that she's communicating with her dad, but the grandma is supervising so that's good.
I'm glad Zoe told Trevor why she was mad and he apologized. (hide spoiler)]

ch 27 (view spoiler)[ Oh boy, I'm worried about this. I hope nothing bad happens to Zoe and Trevor. And I wonder if they actually will figure out the witness thing or not? (hide spoiler)]

finished (view spoiler)[ Awh, I'm so glad Marcus got out of prison and they're a big family now. What a cute book (hide spoiler)]

will probably have to start this in a day or two but I am excited to see what you thought about it :)

Chapter 14 (view spoiler)[ So far, I am really enjoying this book. I really like that Grandma is helping Zoe continue to write letters to her father. I think she knows something that Mom isn't telling Zoe. But I am not 100% convinced about Marcus though. I can't wait to see what the next few letters say. Also, can she please just tell us about Trevor already? (view spoiler)[ (hide spoiler)] (hide spoiler)]

Brandee wrote: "Chapter 14 [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[Yes I was really happy that her grandma helped her and reads the letters first in case Marcus says anything that could hurt Zoe (hide spoiler)]

This didn't post earlier
Chapter 21 (view spoiler)[ I am so happy that Marcus and Zoe were able to have an actual phone conversation! And I am happy that she finally came clean to Trevor and that Trevor is standing up for her around his friends. I have a feeling though that she isn't going to let this alibi witness and innocence go. I have a feeling she is going to fight no matter what (view spoiler)[ (hide spoiler)] (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 27 (view spoiler)[ I knew it! She is going to do everything to prove that he is a better person than everyone thinks. I really hope this trip plan works and doesn't backfire (getting them in trouble). And I really hope that this Susan Thomas is the right one and will have some kind of answer for Zoe (view spoiler)[ (hide spoiler)] (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 35 (view spoiler)[ WOW! What a roller coaster of emotions. So happy that they found the right Susan but then devastated that she didn't remember Marcus. Then Zoe gets the email that might change both her life and Marcus's life but Mom and Grandma want to hear nothing about it. WHAT?! If he's innocent doesn't that mean something. Then happy again that her dad decided to pursue it further. No 100% sure whose idea it was but getting the information and finding a lawyer is a big step. I can't wait to finish and see how all of this finally pans out (view spoiler)[ (hide spoiler)] (hide spoiler)]

Yeah it was a crazy ride!

Finished (view spoiler)[ I absolutely love that this story ended with such a happy ending without being too cheesy about it. I am so glad that now Zoe and Marcus get to have a better relationship and Marcus gets to have the life he always deserved. Justice for the win! (view spoiler)[ (hide spoiler)] (hide spoiler)]

Super cute ending for sure